Human receptor tyrosine kinase, KDR

ABSTRACT

An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a novel human receptor type tyrosine kinase gene, KDR, is disclosed. The isolation of this KDR cDNA sequence results in disclosure of purified forms of human KDR protein, recombinant vectors and recombinant hosts which express human KDR.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 10/022,939 filed Dec. 18, 2001; which is a divisional of Ser. No. 09/483,539 filed Jan. 14, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,359,115; which is a divisional of Ser. No. 09/098,707 filed Jun. 17, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,204,011; which claims the benefit, under §35 U.S.C 119(e) of Ser. No. 60/050,962 filed Jun. 18, 1997.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/050,962, filed Jun. 18, 1997.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED R&D

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule (polynucleotide) which encodes a human receptor tyrosine kinase, KDR, which is expressed on human endothelial cells. This receptor is activated by VEGF and mediates a mitogenic signal. The present invention also relates to recombinant vectors and recombinant hosts which contain a DNA fragment encoding human KDR, a DNA fragment encoding the intracellular portion of KDR, a DNA fragment encoding the extracellular portion of KDR with or without a membrane anchor sequence, substantially purified forms of associated human KDR, and human mutant forms of KDR.

2. Background of the Invention

Vascular endothelial cells form a luminal non-thrombogenic monolayer throughout the vascular system. Mitogens promote embryonic vascular development, growth, repair and angiogenesis in these cells. Angiogenesis involves the proteolytic degradation of the basement membrane on which endothelial cells reside followed by the subsequent chemotactic migration and mitosis of these cells to support sustained growth of a new capillary shoot. One class of mitogens selective for vascular endothelial cells include vascular endothelial growth factor (referred to as VEGF or VEGF-A) and the homologues placenta growth factor (PlGF), VEGF-B and VEGF-C.

Human VEGF exists as a glycosylated homodimer in one of four mature processed forms containing 206, 189 (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,848), 165 (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,671), and 121 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,671) amino acids, the most prevalent being the 165 amino acid form. The 206 amino acid and 189 amino acid forms of human VEGF each contain a highly basic 24-amino acid insert that promotes tight binding to heparin, and presumably, heparin proteoglycans on cellular surfaces and within extracellular matrices (Ferrara et al., 1991, J. Cell. Biochem. 47: 211-218).

Human PlGF is also a glycosylated homodimer which shares 46% homology with VEGF at the protein level. Differential splicing of human PlGF mRNA leads to either a 170 or 149 amino acid residue precursor, which are proteolytically processed to mature forms of 152 or 131 amino acid residues in length, respectively (Maglione et al., 1993, Oncogene 8: 925-931; Bayne and Thomas, 1992, EPO Publication No. 0 506 477 A1; Hauser and Weich, 1993, Growth Factors 9: 259-268).

VEGF-B has been isolated and characterized (Grimmond et al., 1996, Genome Research 6: 124-131; Olofsson et al., 1996, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93: 2576-2581). The full-length human cDNAs encode 188 and 207 amino acid residue precursors wherein the NH₂ terminal portions are proteolytically processed to mature forms 167 and 186 amino acid residues in length. Human VEGF-B expression was found predominantly in heart and skeletal muscle as a disulfide-linked homodimer. However, human VEGF-B may also form a heterodimer with VEGF (id. @ 2580).

VEGF-C has also been isolated and characterized (Joukov et al., 1996, EMBO J. 15: 290-298). A cDNA encoding VEGF-C was obtained from a human prostatic adenocarcinoma cell line. A 32 kDa precursor protein is proteolytically processed to generate the mature 23 kDa form, which binds the receptor tyrosine kinase, Flt-4.

VEGF and its homologues impart activity by binding to vascular endothelial cell plasma membrane-spanning tyrosine kinase receptors which then activate an intracellular mitogenic signal. The KDR receptor family is the major tyrosine kinase receptor which transduces the mitogenic signal initiated by VEGF.

Shibuya et al. (1990, Oncogene 5: 519-524) disclose a human receptor type tyrosine kinase gene flt, which comprises a 4.2 Kb open reading frame encoding a 1338 amino acid protein which comprises a glycosylated extracelluar domain, membrane spanning region and predicted tyrosine kinase domain.

Pajusola et al. (1992, Cancer Res. 52: 5738-5743) disclose a human receptor type tyrosine kinase gene which, as noted above, binds human VEGF-C.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) binds the high affinity membrane-spanning tyrosine kinase receptors KDR and Flt-1. Cell culture and gene knockout experiments indicate that each receptor contributes to different aspects of angiogenesis. KDR mediates the mitogenic function of VEGF whereas Flt-1 appears to modulate non-mitogenic functions such as those associated with cellular adhesion. Inhibiting KDR thus significantly diminishes the level of mitogenic VEGF activity.

Vascular growth in the retina leads to visual degeneration culminating in blindness. VEGF accounts for most of the angiogenic activity produced in or near the retina in diabetic retinopathy. Ocular VEGF mRNA and protein are elevated by conditions such as retinal vein occlusion in primates and decreased pO₂ levels in mice that lead to neovascularization. Intraocular injections of either anti-VEGF mono- clonal antibodies or VEGF receptor immunofusions inhibit ocular neovascularization in rodent and primate models. Regardless of the cause of induction of VEGF in human diabetic retinopathy, inhibition of ocular VEGF is useful in treating the disease.

Expression of VEGF is also significantly increased in hypoxic regions of animal and human tumors adjacent to areas of necrosis. Monoclonal and polyclonal anti-VEGF antibodies inhibit the growth of human tumors in nude mice. Although these same tumor cells continue to express VEGF in culture, the antibodies do not diminish their mitotic rate of most, if not all, tumor cells derived from cells other than vascular endothelial cells themselves. Thus tumor-derived VEGF does not function as an autocrine mitogenic factor for most tumors. Therefore, VEGF contributes to tumor growth in vivo by promoting angiogenesis through its paracrine vascular endothelial cell chemotactic and mitogenic activities. These monoclonal antibodies also inhibit the growth of typically less well vascularized human colon cancers in athymic mice and decrease the number of tumors arising from inoculated cells. Viral expression of a VEGF-binding construct of Flk-1, the mouse KDR receptor homologue, truncated to eliminate the cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase domains but retaining a membrane anchor, virtually abolishes the growth of a transplantable glioblastoma in mice presumably by the dominant negative mechanism of heterodimer formation with membrane-spanning endothelial cell VEGF receptors. Embryonic stem cells, which normally grow as solid tumors in nude mice, do not produce detectable tumors if both VEGF alleles are knocked out. Taken together, these data indicate the role of VEGF in the growth of solid tumors. KDR and Flt-1 are implicated in pathological neoangiogenesis, and inhibitors of these receptors are useful in the treatment of diseases in which neoangiogenesis is part of the overall pathology, e.g., diabetic retinal vascularization, various forms of cancer as well as forms of inflammation such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, contact dermatitis and hypersensitivity reaction.

Terman et al. (1991, Oncogene 6: 1677-1683; 1992, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 187: 1579-1586) disclose a full-length cDNA encoding a form of KDR. However, the Terman et al. disclosures do not identify a novel, optimal nucleic acid fragment encoding the human form of the receptor type tyrosine kinase gene, KDR. It will be advantageous to identify and isolate a human cDNA sequence encoding an optimized form of human KDR. A nucleic acid molecule expressing the human KDR protein will be useful in screening for compounds acting as a modulator of the protein kinase domain of this protein. Such a compound or compounds will be useful in modulating the mitogenic signal of VEGF and VEGF-related proteins on vascular endothelial cells. The KDR nucleic acid sequence may be also useful for gene therapy encoding a portion of the KDR protein that would contain functional ligand binding and membrane anchoring moieties but not tyrosine linase activity. Either all or a portion of the KDR protein is also useful to screen for VEGF antagonists. The KDR nucleic acid sequence can be transfected into cells for analysis of function in the absence of Flt-1. The KDR protein is also useful for x-ray structure analysis in the presence or absence of ligand and/or inhibitors. The present invention addresses and meets these needs by disclosing an isolated nucleic acid fragment which expresses a form of human KDR which is shown by computer modeling to be predictive of higher activity and functionality than the previously disclosed KDR.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule (polynucleotide) which encodes a novel human receptor type tyrosine kinase gene, KDR. This specification discloses a novel, optimized DNA molecule which encodes, KDR, a receptor tyrosine kinase expressed on human endothelial cells.

The present invention also relates to biologically active fragments or mutants of SEQ ID NO:1 which encodes mRNA expressing a novel human receptor type tyrosine kinase gene, KDR. Any such biologically active fragment and/or mutant will encode either a protein or protein fragment comprising at least an intracellular or extracelluar kinase domain similar to that of the human KDR protein as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2. Any such polynucleotide includes but is not necessarily limited to nucleotide substitutions, deletions, additions, amino-terminal truncations and carboxy-terminal truncations such that these mutations encode mRNA which express a protein or protein fragment of diagnostic, therapeutic or prophylactic use and would be useful for screening for agonists and/or antagonists for KDR function.

The isolated nucleic acid molecule of the present invention may include a deoxyribonucleic acid molecule (DNA), such as genomic DNA and complementary DNA (cDNA), which may be single (coding or noncoding strand) or double stranded, as well as synthetic DNA, such as a synthesized, single stranded polynucleotide. The isolated nucleic acid molecule of the present invention may also include a ribonucleic acid molecule (RNA).

The present invention also relates to recombinant vectors and recombinant hosts, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic, which contain the substantially purified nucleic acid molecules disclosed throughout this specification.

The present invention also relates to subcellular membrane fractions of the recombinant host cells (both prokaryotic and eukaryotic as well as both stably and transiently transformed cells) comprising the nucleic acids of the present invention. These subcellular membrane fractions will comprise either wild-type or human mutant forms of KDR at levels substantially above wild-type levels and hence will be useful in various assays described throughout this specification.

A preferred aspect of the present invention is disclosed in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B and SEQ ID NO:1, a human cDNA encoding a novel receptor type tyrosine kinase gene, KDR.

The present invention also relates to a substantially purified form of the receptor type tyrosine kinase gene, KDR which is disclosed in FIG. 2 and as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.

The present invention also relates to biologically active fragments and/or mutants of the KDR protein as initially set forth as SEQ ID NO:2, including but not necessarily limited to amino acid substitutions, deletions, additions, amino terminal truncations and carboxy-terminal truncations such that these mutations provide for proteins or protein fragments of diagnostic, therapeutic or prophylactic use and would be useful for screening for agonists and/or antagonists for KDR function.

A preferred aspect of the present invention is disclosed in FIG. 2 and is set forth as SEQ ID NO:2, the amino acid sequence of the novel receptor type tyrosine kinase gene, KDR.

The present invention also relates to polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies raised in response to either the human form of KDR disclosed herein, or a biologically active fragment thereof.

The present invention also relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules which are fusion constructions expressing fusion proteins useful in assays to identify compounds which modulate wild-type human KDR activity. A preferred aspect of this portion of the invention includes, but is not limited to, glutathione S-transferase (GST)-KDR fusion constructs. These fusion constructs include, but are not limited to, either the intracellular tyrosine kinase domain of human KDR as an in-frame fusion at the carboxy terminus of the GST gene or the extracellular ligand binding domain fused to an immunoglobulin gene by methods known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Soluble recombinant GST-kinase domain fusion proteins may be expressed in various expression systems, including Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf21) insect cells (Invitrogen) using a baculovirus expression vector (pAcG2T, Pharmingen).

The present invention also relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode human KDR protein fragments comprising a portion of the intracellular KDR domain. The protein fragments are useful in assays to identify compounds which modulate wild-type human KDR activity. A preferred aspect of this portion of the invention includes, but is not limited to, a nucleic acid construction which encodes the intracellular portion of human KDR, from about amino acid 780-795 to about amino acid 1175-1386.

Therefore, the present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode human KDR protein fragments comprising a portion of the extracellular KDR domain. These isolated nucleic acid proteins may or may not include nucleotide sequences which also encode the transmembrane domain of human KDR. These KDR extracellular and/or KDR extracellular-transmembrane domain protein fragments will be useful in screening for compounds which inhibit VEGF binding as well as utilizing these isolated nucleic acids as gene therapy vehicles to inhibit VEGF-mediated mitogenic activity. Expression of either a soluble version of KDR (extracellular) or membrane bound form (extracellular-transmembrane) will inhibit in vivo VEGF/KDR mediated angiogenesis.

Therefore, the present invention relates to methods of expressing the receptor type tyrosine kinase gene, KDR, and biological equivalents disclosed herein, assays employing these receptor type tyrosine kinase genes, cells expressing these receptor type tyrosine kinase genes, and compounds identified through the use of these receptor type tyrosine kinase genes and expressed human KDR protein, including one or more modulators of the human KDR-dependent kinase either through direct contact with the kinase domain of human KDR or a compound which prevents binding of VEGF to human KDR, or appropriate dimerization of the KDR receptor antagonizing transduction of the normal intracellular signals associated with VEGF-induced angiogenesis.

The present invention also relates to gene therapy applications, especially for nucleic acid fragments which encode soluble extracelluar protein fragments of human KDR. It is disclosed herein that such methods will be useful especially in the treatment of various tumors as well as diabetic retinopathy.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an isolated nucleic acid molecule which encodes a novel form of human KDR, or human KDR fragments and KDR mutants which are derivatives of SEQ ID NO:2 and preferably retain Val at position 848, and especially preferable is retention of Val at position 848, Glu at position 498, Ala at position 772, Arg at position 787, Lys at position 835 and Ser at position 1347. Any such polynucleotide includes but is not necessarily limited to nucleotide substitutions, deletions, additions, amino-terminal truncations and carboxy-terminal truncations such that these mutations encode mRNA which express a protein or protein fragment of diagnostic, therapeutic or prophylactic use and would be useful for screening for agonists and/or antagonists for KDR function.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide the human KDR proteins or protein fragments encoded by the nucleic acid molecules referred to in the preceding paragraph.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide biologically active fragments or mutants of human KDR which comprise an intracellular kinase domain similar to that of the human KDR protein as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, preferably retaining Val at position 848, and especially preferable is retention of Val at position 848, Glu at position 498, Ala at position 772, Arg at position 787, Lys at position 835 and Ser at position 1347.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide recombinant vectors and recombinant host cells which comprise a nucleic acid sequence encoding human KDR or a biological equivalent thereof.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a substantially purified form of the receptor type tyrosine kinase gene, KDR, as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.

It is an object of the present invention to provide for biologically active fragments and/or mutants of the KDR protein, such as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, including but not necessarily limited to amino acid substitutions, deletions, additions, amino terminal truncations and carboxy-terminal truncations such that these mutations provide for proteins or protein fragments of diagnostic, therapeutic or prophylactic use.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide for KDR-based in-frame fusion constructions, methods of expressing the receptor type tyrosine kinase gene, KDR, and biological equivalents disclosed herein, related assays, recombinant cells expressing these receptor type tyrosine kinase genes, and agonistic and/or antagonistic compounds identified through the use of these receptor type tyrosine kinase genes and expressed human KDR protein.

As used herein, “VEGF” or “VEFG-A” refers to vascular endothelial growth factor.

As used herein, “KDR” or “FLK-1” refers to kinase insert domain-containing receptor.

As used herein, “FLT-1” refers to fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor.

As used herein, the term “mammalian host” refers to any mammal, including a human being.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B show the nucleotide sequence which encodes human KDR, as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1.

FIG. 2 shows the amino acid sequence of human KDR, as also set forth in SEQ ID NO:2. Underlined amino acid residues represent differences in comparison to a previously disclosed form of human KDR.

FIG. 3A shows the ATP binding domain from the KDR V848E mutant homology model with bound AMP-PCP. The side chain of E848 is in contact the adenine from AMP-PCP. The gamma phosphate of AMP-PCP is not visible. The protein carbon alpha trace is shown in pipes, the AMP-PCP in sticks and the E848 side chain in space filling. The N-terminal lobe is colored blue (or alternatively labeled with light circles) with the exception of the glycine rich flap which is colored green (or alternatively labeled as a lined region). The C-terminal lobe is colored red (or alternatively labeled with dark circles.

FIG. 3B shows ATP binding domain from the KDR homology model with bound AMP-PCP. The side chain of V848 forms hydrophobic contacts with the adenine from AMP-PCP. The gamma phosphate of AMP-PCP is not visible. The protein carbon alpha trace is shown in pipes, the AMP-PCP in sticks and the V848 side chain in space filling. The N-terminal lobe is colored blue (or alternatively labeled with light circles) with the exception of the glycine rich flap which is colored green (or alternatively labeled as a lined region). The C-terminal lobe is colored red (or alternatively labeled with dark circles).

FIGS. 4A and 4B show that purified GST-KDR_(cyt)E848 was unable to autophosphorylate in the presence of 1-mM ATP wherein 12 ng of GST-KDR_(cyt)V848 in the presence of 1 mM ATP resulted in autophosphorylation (FIG. 4A) and that both 120 ng of GST-KDR_(cyt)E848 and 12 ng of GST-KDR_(cyt)V848 react with anti-KDR antibody (FIG. 4B).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid and protein forms which represent human KDR. This specification discloses a DNA molecule encoding human KDR, a receptor tyrosine kinase expressed on human endothelial cells. The receptor is activated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and mediates a mitogenic signal. This activation and subsequent mitogenesis leads to an angiogenic response in vivo. The nucleic acid molecule disclosed in the specification as SEQ ID NO:1 encodes a human KDR protein (SEQ ID NO:2) which results in six amino acid differences from the published sequence (Terman et al., 1992, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 187: 1579-1586, Terman et al., International PCT application number WO 92/14748, International application number PCT/US92/01300). These changes are position 498 (Ala to Glu), 772 (Thr to Ala), 787 (Gly to Arg), 835 (Asn to Lys), 848 (Glu to Val), and 1347 (Thr to Ser). These six amino acid changes affect the activity of the receptor. Val 848 is conserved throughout most of the tyrosine kinase family and appears to be important for the binding of ATP and presumably ATP competitive inhibitors to the KDR receptor kinase as inferred by computer modeling. A change to Glu at this position results in a non-functional kinase as a consequence of impaired ATP binding. The other changes may also cause activity differences.

The present invention also relates to either biologically active fragments or mutants of SEQ ID NO:1 which encodes mRNA expressing a novel human receptor type tyrosine kinase gene, KDR. Any such biologically active fragment and/or mutant will encode a protein or protein fragment comprising at least an intracellular kinase domain similar to that of the human KDR protein as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 and preferably retain Val at position 848. It is also envisioned that other intracellular-based KDR domains will result in a soluble protein fragment which mimics wild-type intracellular domain structure and function. Any such protein fragment may be a fusion protein, such as the exemplified GST-KDR fusion, or may be solely comprised of the KDR intracelluar domain, with increasing deletions in from the COOH-terminal region. It is especially preferable that the following amino acids be retained, if this domain encompasses the respective protein or protein fragment: Val at position 848, Glu at position 498, Ala at position 772, Arg at position 787, Lys at position 835 and Ser at position 1347. Therefore, any such polynucleotide includes but is not necessarily limited to nucleotide substitutions, deletions, additions, amino-terminal truncations and carboxy-terminal truncations such that these mutations encode mRNA which express a protein or protein fragment of diagnostic, therapeutic or prophylactic use and is useful for the identification of modulators of KDR receptor activity.

The isolated nucleic acid molecule of the present invention may include a deoxyribonucleic acid molecule (DNA), such as genomic DNA and complementary DNA (cDNA), which may be single (coding or noncoding strand) or double stranded, as well as synthetic DNA, such as a synthesized, single stranded polynucleotide. The isolated nucleic acid molecule of the present invention may also include a ribonucleic acid molecule (RNA).

It is known that DNA sequences coding for a peptide may be altered so as to code for a peptide having properties that are different than those of the naturally occurring peptide. Methods of altering the DNA sequences include but are not limited to site directed mutagenesis. Examples of altered properties include but are not limited to changes in the affinity of an enzyme for a substrate or a receptor for a ligand.

As used herein, “purified” and “isolated” are utilized interchangeably to stand for the proposition that the nucleic acid, protein, or respective fragment thereof in question has been substantially removed from its in vivo environment so that it may be manipulated by the skilled artisan, such as but not limited to nucleotide sequencing, restriction digestion, site-directed mutagenesis, and subcloning into expression vectors for a nucleic acid fragment as well as obtaining the protein or protein fragment in pure quantities so as to afford the opportunity to generate polyclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibodies, amino acid sequencing, and peptide digestion. Therefore, the nucleic acids claimed herein may be present in whole cells or in cell lysates or in a partially purified or substantially purified form. A nucleic acid is considered substantially purified when it is purified away from environmental contaminants. Thus, a nucleic acid sequence isolated from cells is considered to be substantially purified when purified from cellular components by standard methods while a chemically synthesized nucleic acid sequence is considered to be substantially purified when purified from its chemical precursors.

The present invention also relates to recombinant vectors and recombinant hosts, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic, which contain the substantially purified nucleic acid molecules disclosed throughout this specification.

The present invention also relates to subcellular membrane fractions of the recombinant host cells (both prokaryotic and eukaryotic as well as both stably and transiently transformed cells) comprising the nucleic acids of the present invention. These subcellular membrane fractions will comprise wild-type or human mutant forms of KDR at levels substantially above wild-type levels and hence will be useful in various assays described throughout this specification.

A preferred aspect of the present invention is disclosed in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B and SEQ ID NO:1, a human cDNA encoding a novel receptor type tyrosine kinase gene, KDR, disclosed as follows:

(SEQ ID NO:1) ATGGAGAGCAAGGTGCTGCTGGCCGTCGCCCTGTGGCTCTGCGTGGAGAC CCGGGCCGCCTCTGTGGGTTTGCCTAGTGTTTCTCTTGATCTGCCCAGGC TCAGCATACAAAAAGACATACTTACAATTAAGGCTAATACAACTCTTCAA ATTACTTGCAGGGGACAGAGGGACTTGGACTGGCTTTGGCCCAATAATCA GAGTGGCAGTGAGCAAAGGGTGGAGGTGACTGAGTGCAGCGATGGCCTCT TCTGTAAGACACTCACAATTCCAAAAGTGATCGGAAATGACACTGGAGCC TACAAGTGCTTCTACCGGGAAACTGACTTGGCCTCGGTCATTTATGTCTA TGTTCAAGATTACAGATCTCCATTTATTGCTTCTGTTAGTGACCAACATG GAGTCGTGTACATTACTGAGAACAAAAACAAAACTGTGGTGATTCCATGT CTCGGGTCCATTTCAAATCTCAACGTGTCACTTTGTGCAAGATACCCAGA AAAGAGATTTGTTCCTGATGGTAACAGAATTTCCTGGGACAGCAAGAAGG GCTTTACTATTCCCAGCTACATGATCAGCTATGCTGGCATGGTCTTCTGT GAAGCAAAAATTAATGATGAAAGTTACCAGTCTATTATGTACATAGTTGT CGTTGTAGGGTATAGGATTTATGATGTGGTTCTGAGTCCGTCTCATGGAA TTGAACTATCTGTTGGAGAAAAGCTTGTCTTAAATTGTACAGCAAGAACT GAACTAAATGTGGGGATTGACTTCAACTGGGAATACCCTTCTTCGAAGCA TCAGCATAAGAAACTTGTAAACCGAGACCTAAAAACCCAGTCTGGGAGTG AGATGAAGAAATTTTTGAGCACCTTAACTATAGATGGTGTAACCCGGAGT GACCAAGGATTGTACACCTGTGCAGCATCCAGTGGGCTGATGACCAAGAA GAACAGCACATTTGTCAGGGTCCATGAAAAACCTTTTGTTGCTTTTGGAA GTGGCATGGAATCTCTGGTGGAAGCCACGGTGGGGGAGCGTGTCAGAATC CCTGCGAAGTACCTTGGTTACCCACCCCCAGAAATAAAATGGTATAAAAA TGGAATACCCCTTGAGTCCAATCACACAATTAAAGCGGGGCATGTACTGA CGATTATGGAAGTGAGTGAAAGAGACACAGGAAATTACACTGTCATCCTT ACCAATCCCATTTCAAAGGAGAAGCAGAGCCATGTGGTCTCTCTGGTTGT GTATGTCCCACCCCAGATTGGTGAGAAATCTCTAATCTCTCCTGTGGATT CCTACCAGTACGGCACCACTCAAACGCTGACATGTACGGTCTATGCCATT CCTCCCCCGCATCACATCCACTGGTATTGGCAGTTGGAGGAAGAGTGCGC CAACGAGCCCAGCCAAGCTGTCTCAGTGACAAACCCATACCCTTGTGAAG AATGGAGAAGTGTGGAGGACTTCCAGGGAGGAAATAAAATTGAAGTTAAT AAAAATCAATTTGCTCTAATTGAAGGAAAAAACAAAACTGTAAGTACCCT TGTTATCCAAGCGGCAAATGTGTCAGCTTTGTACAAATGTGAAGCGGTCA ACAAAGTCGGGAGAGGAGAGAGGGTGATCTCCTTCCACGTGACCAGGGGT CCTGAAATTACTTTGCAACCTGACATGCAGCCCACTGAGCAGGAGAGCGT GTCTTTGTGGTGCACTGCAGACAGATCTACGTTTGAGAACCTCACATGGT ACAAGCTTGGCCCACAGCCTCTGCCAATCCATGTGGGAGAGTTGCCCACA CCTGTTTGCAAGAACTTGGATACTCTTTGGAAATTGAATGCCACCATGTT CTCTAATAGCACAAATGACATTTTGATCATGGAGCTTAAGAATGCATCCT TGCAGGACCAAGGAGACTATGTCTGCCTTCCTCAAGACAGGAAGACCAAG AAAAGACATTGCGTGGTCAGGCAGCTCACAGTCCTAGAGCGTGTGGCACC CACGATCACAGGAAACCTGGAGAATCAGACGACAAGTATTGGGGAAAGCA TCGAACTCTCATGCACGGCATCTGGGAATCCCCCTCCACAGATCATGTGG TTTAAAGATAATGAGACCCTTGTAGAAGACTCAGGCATTGTATTGAAGGA TGGGAACCGGAACCTCACTATCCGCAGAGTGAGGAAGGAGGACGAAGGCC TCTACACCTGCCAGGCATGCAGTGTTCTTGGCTGTGCAAAAGTGGAGGCA TTTTTCATAATAGAAGGTGCCCAGGAAAAGACGAACTTGGAAATCATTAT TCTAGTAGGCACGGCGGTGATTGCCATGTTCTTCTGGCTACTTCTTGTCA TCATCCTACGGACCGTTAAGCGGGCCAATGGAGGGGAACTGAAGACAGGC TACTTGTCCATCGTCATGGATCCAGATGAACTCCCATTGGATGAACATTG TGAACGACTGCCTTATGATGCCAGCAAATGGGAATTCCCCAGAGACCGGC TGAAGCTAGGTAAGCCTCTTGGCCGTGGTGCCTTTGGCCAAGTGATTGAA GCAGATGCCTTTGGAATTGACAAGACAGCAACTTGCAGGACAGTAGCAGT CAAAATGTTGAAAGAAGGAGCAACACACAGTGAGCATCGAGCTCTCATGT CTGAACTCAAGATCCTCATTCATATTGGTCACCATCTCAATGTGGTCAAC CTTCTAGGTGCCTGTACCAAGCCAGGAGGGCCACTCATGGTGATTGTGGA ATTCTGCAAATTTGGAAACCTGTCCACTTACCTGAGGAGCAAGAGAAATG AATTTGTCCCCTACAAGACCAAAGGGGCACGATTCCGTCAAGGGAAAGAC TACGTTGGAGCAATCCCTGTGGATCTGAAACGGCGCTTGGACAGCATCAC CAGTAGCCAGAGCTCAGCCAGCTCTGGATTTGTGGAGGAGAAGTCCCTCA GTGATGTAGAAGAAGAGGAAGCTCCTGAAGATCTGTATAAGCACTTCCTG ACCTTGGAGCATCTCATCTGTTACAGCTTCCAAGTGGCTAAGGGCATGGA GTTCTTGGCATCGCGAAAGTGTATCCACAGGGACCTGGCGGCACGAAATA TCCTCTTATCGGAGAAGAACGTGGTTAAAATCTGTGACTTTGGCTTGGCC CCGGATATTTATAAAGATCCAGATTATGTCAGAAAAGGAGATGCTCGCCT CCCTTTGAAATGGATGGCCCCAGAAACAATTTTTGACAGAGTGTACACAA TCCAGAGTGACGTCTGGTCTTTTGGTGTTTTGCTGTGGGAAATATTTTCC TTAGGTGCTTCTCCATATCCTGGGGTAAAGATTGATGAAGAATTTTGTAG GCGATTGAAAGAAGGAACTAGAATGAGGGCCCCTGATTATACTACACCAG AAATGTACCAGACCATGCTGGACTGCTGGCACGGGGAGCCCAGTCAGAGA CCCACGTTTTCAGAGTTGGTGGAACATTTGGGAAATCTCTTGCAAGCTAA TGCTCAGCAGGATGGCAAATCACCTGTTTCCTGTATGGAGGAGGAGGAAG TATGTGACCCCAAATTCCATTATGACAACACAGCAGGAATCAGTCAGTAT CTGCAGAACAGTAAGCGAAAGAGCCGGCCTGTGAGTGTAAAAACATTTGA AGATATCCCGTTAGAAGAACCAGAAGTAAAAGTAATCCCAGATGACAACC AGACGGACAGTGGTATGGTTCTTGCCTCAGAAGAGCTGAAAACTTTGGAA GACAGAACCAAATTATCTCCATCTTTTGGTGGAATGGTGCCCAGCAAAAG CAGGGAGTCTGTGGCATCTGAAGGCTCAAACCAGACAAGCGGCTACCAGT CCGGATATCACTCCGATGACACAGACACCACCGTGTACTCCAGTGAGGAA GCAGAACTTTTAAAGCTGATAGAGATTGGAGTGCAAACCGGTAGCACAGC CCAGATTCTCCAGCCTGACTCGGGGACCACACTGAGCTCTCCTCCTGTTT AA.

The present invention also relates to a substantially purified form of the receptor type tyrosine kinase gene which comprises the KDR amino acid sequence disclosed in FIG. 2 and as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, which includes Glu at position 498, Ala at position 772, Arg at position 787, Lys at position 835, Val at position 848 and Ser at position 1347, disclosed as follows:

(SEQ ID NO:2) MESKVLLAVALWLCVETRAASVGLPSVSLDLPRLSIQKDILTIKANTTLQ ITCRGQRDLDWLWPNNQSGSEQRVEVTECSDGLFCKTLTIPKVIGNDTGA YKCFYRETDLASVIYVYVQDYRSPFIASVSDQHGVVYITENKNKTVVIPC LGSISNLNVSLCARYPEKRFVPDGNRISWDSKKGFTIPSYMISYAGMVFC EAKINDESYQSIMYIVVVVGYRIYDVVLSPSHGIELSVGEKLVLNCTART ELNVGIDFNWEYPSSKHQHKKLVNRDLKTQSGSEMKKFLSTLTIDGVTRS DQGLYTCAASSGLMTKKNSTFVRVHEKPFVAFGSGMESLVEATVGERVRI PAKYLGYPPPEIKWYKNGIPLESNHTIKAGHVLTIMEVSERDTGNYTVIL TNPISKEKQSHVVSLVVYVPPQIGEKSLISPVDSYQYGTTQTLTCTVYAI PPPHHIHWYWQLEEECANEPSQAVSVTNPYPCEEWRSVEDFQGGNKIEVN KNQFALIEGKNKTVSTLVIQAANVSALYKCEAVNKVGRGERVISFHVTRG PEITLQPDMQPTEQESVSLWCTADRSTFENLTWYKLGPQPLPIHVGELPT PVCKNLDTLWKLNATMFSNSTNDILIMELKNASLQDQGDYVCLAQDRKTK KRHCVVRQLTVLERVAPTITGNLENQTTSIGESIEVSCTASGNPPPQIMW FKDNETLVEDSGIVLKDGNRNLTIRRVRKEDEGLYTCQACSVLGCAKVEA FFIIEGAQEKTNLEIIILVGTAVIAMFFWLLLVIILRTVKRANGGELKTG YLSIVMDPDELPLDEHCERLPYDASKWEFPRDRLKLGKPLGRGAFGQVIE ADAFGIDKTATCRTVAVKMLKEAGATHSEHRALMSELKILIHIGHHLNVV NLLGACTKPGGPLMVIVEFCKFGNLSTYLRSKRNEFVPYKTKGARFRQGK DYVGAIPVDLKRRLDSITSSQSSASSGFVEEKSLSDVEEEEAPEDLYKDF LTLEHLICYSFQVAKGMEFLASRKCIHRDLAARNILLSEKNVVKICDFGL ARDIYKDPDYVRKGDARLPLKWMAPETIFDRVYTIQSDVWSFGVLLWEIF SLGASPYPGVKIDEEFCRRLKEGTRMRAPDYTTPEMYQTMLDCWHGEPSQ RPTFSELVEHLGNLLQANAQQDGKDYIVLPISETLSMEEDSGLSLPTSPV SCMEEEEVCDPKFHYDNTAGISQYLQNSKRKSRPVSVKTFEDIPLEEPEV KVIPDDNQTDSGMVLASEELKTLEDRTKLSPSFGGMVPSKSRESVASEGS NQTSGYQSGYHSDDTDTTVYSSEEAELLKLIEIGVQTGSTAQILQPDSGT TLSSPPV.

The present invention also relates to biologically active fragments and/or mutants of the KDR protein as initially set forth as SEQ ID NO:2, including but not necessarily limited to amino acid substitutions, deletions, additions, amino terminal truncations and carboxy-terminal truncations such that these mutations provide for proteins or protein fragments of diagnostic, therapeutic or prophylactic use and would be useful for screening for agonists and/or antagonists for KDR function.

A preferred aspect of the present invention is disclosed in FIG. 2 and is set forth as SEQ ID NO:2, the amino acid sequence of the novel receptor type tyrosine kinase gene, KDR.

The present invention also relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules which are fusion constructions useful in assays to identify compounds which modulate wild-type human KDR activity. A preferred aspect of this portion of the invention includes, but is not limited to, GST-KDR fusion constructs. These fusion constructs comprise the intracellular tyrosine kinase domain of human KDR as an in-frame fusion at the carboxy terminus of the GST gene. Soluble recombinant GST-kinase domain fusion proteins may be expressed in various expression systems, including Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf21) insect cells (Invitrogen) using a baculovirus expression vector (pAcG2T, Pharmingen).

The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode soluble portions of the KDR intracellular or extracellular domain. Especially preferred are nucleic acid molecules which encode a COOH-terminal deletion KDR protein fragment useful in assays to identify compounds which modulate wild-type human KDR activity. Any such nucleic acid will encode a KDR protein fragment which mimics KDR wild-type activity within the respective domain, such as the kinase domain of human KDR. These expressed soluble protein fragments may or may not contain a portion of the amino-terminal region of human KDR or of a heterologous sequence. These nucleic acids may be expressed in any of a number of expression systems available to the artisan. Any such intracelluar-based KDR construction of the present invention may be utilized in gene therapy applications, such as acting as an soluble agonist or antagonist of kinase activity normally associated with wild type, membrane associated kinase activity.

Therefore, the present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode human KDR protein fragments comprising a portion of the intracellular KDR domain. The protein fragments are useful in assays to identify compounds which modulate wild-type human KDR activity. A preferred aspect of this portion of the invention includes, but is not limited to, a nucleic acid construction which encodes the intracellular portion of human KDR, from about amino acid 780-795 to about amino acid 1175-1386. The data exemplified in Example Section 3 show that COOH terminal deletions of the soluble intracellular portion of KDR exhibit kinase activity.

The present invention also relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode human KDR protein fragments comprising a portion of the extracellular KDR domain. These isolated nucleic acid proteins may or may not include nucleotide sequences which also encode the transmembrane domain of human KDR. These KDR extracellular and/or KDR extracellular-transmembrane domain protein fragments will be useful in screening for compounds which inhibit VEGF binding as well as utilizing these isolated nucleic acids as gene therapy vehicles to inhibit VEGF-mediated mitogenic activity. Expression of wither a soluble version of KDR (extracellular) or membrane bound form (extracellular-transmembrane) will inhibit VEGF/KDR mediated angiogenesis. A preferred aspect of this portion of the invention includes, but is not limited to, an isolated nucleic acid molecule which encodes at least six of the IG-like extracellular domains from the amino-terminal end of KDR. Such a protein fragment would comprise at least from about the initiating methionine to about amino acid 644 of human KDR (SEQ ID NO:2). Another preferred aspect of this portion of the invention includes, but is not limited to, an isolated nucleic acid molecule which encodes the all seven IG-like extracellular domains from the amino-terminal end of KDR. Such a protein fragment would comprise at least from about the initiating methionine to about amino acid 763. An additional preferred embodiment includes but is not limited to an extracellular-transmembrane construct which encodes about the initial 785-795 amino acids of KDR as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, and especially preferred is an isolated nucleic acid molecule construction which encodes the amino terminal portion of KDR with a truncation at about amino acid 791 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.

Therefore, the present invention relates to methods of expressing the receptor type tyrosine kinase gene, KDR, and biological equivalents disclosed herein, assays employing these receptor type tyrosine kinase genes, cells expressing these receptor type tyrosine kinase genes, and agonistic and/or antagonistic compounds identified through the use of these receptor type tyrosine kinase genes and expressed human KDR protein, including, but not limited to, one or more modulators of the human KDR-dependent kinase either through direct contact with the kinase domain of human KDR or a compound which prevents binding of VEGF to human KDR, or either prevents or promotes receptor dimerization and/or activation thereby either inducing or antagonizing transduction of the normal intracellular signals associated with VEGF-induced angiogenesis.

As used herein, a “biologically active equivalent” or “functional derivative” of a wild-type human KDR possesses a biological activity that is substantially similar to the biological activity of the wild type human KDR. The term “functional derivative” is intended to include the “fragments,” “mutants,” “variants,” “degenerate variants,” “analogs” and “homologues” or to “chemical derivatives” of the wild type human KDR protein. The term “fragment” is meant to refer to any polypeptide subset of wild-type human KDR. The term “mutant” is meant to refer to a molecule that may be substantially similar to the wild-type form but possesses distinguishing biological characteristics. Such altered characteristics include but are in no way limited to altered substrate binding, altered substrate affinity and altered sensitivity to chemical compounds affecting biological activity of the human KDR or human KDR functional derivative. The term “variant” is meant to refer to a molecule substantially similar in structure and function to either the entire wild-type protein or to a fragment thereof. A molecule is “substantially similar” to a wild-type human KDR-like protein if both molecules have substantially similar structures or if both molecules possess similar biological activity. Therefore, if the two molecules possess substantially similar activity, they are considered to be variants even if the structure of one of the molecules is not found in the other or even if the two amino acid sequences are not identical. The term “analog” refers to a molecule substantially similar in function to either the full-length human KDR protein or to a biologically active fragment thereof.

Any of a variety of procedures may be used to clone human KDR. These methods include, but are not limited to, (1) a RACE PCR cloning technique (Frohman, et al., 1988, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85: 8998-9002). 5′ and/or 3′ RACE may be performed to generate a full-length cDNA sequence. This strategy involves using gene-specific oligonucleotide primers for PCR amplification of human KDR cDNA. These gene-specific primers are designed through identification of an expressed sequence tag (EST) nucleotide sequence which has been identified by searching any number of publicly available nucleic acid and protein databases; (2) direct functional expression of the human KDR cDNA following the construction of a human KDR-containing cDNA library in an appropriate expression vector system; (3) screening a human KDR-containing cDNA library constructed in a bacteriophage or plasmid shuttle vector with a labeled degenerate oligonucleotide probe designed from the amino acid sequence of the human KDR protein; and (4) screening a human KDR-containing cDNA library constructed in a bacteriophage or plasmid shuttle vector with a partial cDNA encoding the human KDR protein. This partial cDNA is obtained by the specific PCR amplification of human KDR DNA fragments through the design of degenerate oligonucleotide primers from the amino acid sequence known for other kinases which are related to the human KDR protein; (5) screening a human KDR-containing cDNA library constructed in a bacteriophage or plasmid shuttle vector with a partial cDNA encoding the human KDR protein. This strategy may also involve using gene-specific oligonucleotide primers for PCR amplification of human KDR cDNA identified as an EST as described above; or (6) designing 5′ and 3′ gene specific oligonucleotides using SEQ ID NO: 1 as a template so that either the full-length cDNA may be generated by known RACE techniques, or a portion of the coding region may be generated by these same known RACE techniques to generate and isolate a portion of the coding region to use as a probe to screen one of numerous types of cDNA and/or genomic libraries in order to isolate a full-length version of the nucleotide sequence encoding human KDR.

It is readily apparent to those skilled in the art that other types of libraries, as well as libraries constructed from other cell types-or species types, may be useful for isolating a human KDR-encoding DNA or a human KDR homologue. Other types of libraries include, but are not limited to, cDNA libraries derived from other cells or cell lines other than human cells or tissue such as murine cells, rodent cells or any other such vertebrate host which may contain human KDR-encoding DNA. Additionally a human KDR gene and homologues may be isolated by oligonucleotide- or polynucleotide-based hybridization screening of a vertebrate genomic library, including but not limited to, a murine genomic library, a rodent genomic library, as well as concomitant human genomic DNA libraries.

It is readily apparent to those skilled in the art that suitable cDNA libraries may be prepared from cells or cell lines which have KDR activity. The selection of cells or cell lines for use in preparing a cDNA library to isolate a cDNA encoding human KDR may be done by first measuring cell-associated KDR activity using any known assay available for such a purpose.

Preparation of cDNA libraries can be performed by standard techniques well known in the art. Well known cDNA library construction techniques can be found for example, in Sambrook et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual; Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. Complementary DNA libraries may also be obtained from numerous commercial sources, including but not limited to Clontech Laboratories, Inc. and Stratagene.

It is also readily apparent to those skilled in the art that DNA encoding human KDR may also be isolated from a suitable genomic DNA library. Construction of genomic DNA libraries can be performed by standard techniques well known in the art. Well known genomic DNA library construction techniques can be found in Sambrook, et al., supra.

In order to clone the human KDR gene by one of the preferred methods, the amino acid sequence or DNA sequence of human KDR or a homologous protein may be necessary. To accomplish this, the KDR protein or a homologous protein may be purified and partial amino acid sequence determined by automated sequenators. It is not necessary to determine the entire amino acid sequence, but the linear sequence of two regions of 6 to 8 amino acids can be determined for the PCR amplification of a partial human KDR DNA fragment. Once suitable amino acid sequences have been identified, the DNA sequences capable of encoding them are synthesized. Because the genetic code is degenerate, more than one codon may be used to encode a particular amino acid, and therefore, the amino acid sequence can be encoded by any of a set of similar DNA oligonucleotides. Only one member of the set will be identical to the human KDR sequence but others in the set will be capable of hybridizing to human KDR DNA even in the presence of DNA oligonucleotides with mismatches. The mismatched DNA oligonucleotides may still sufficiently hybridize to the human KDR DNA to permit identification and isolation of human KDR encoding DNA. Alternatively, the nucleotide sequence of a region of an expressed sequence may be identified by searching one or more available genomic databases. Gene-specific primers may be used to perform PCR amplification of a cDNA of interest from either a cDNA library or a population of cDNAs. As noted above, the appropriate nucleotide sequence for use in a PCR-based method may be obtained from SEQ ID NO: 1, either for the purpose of isolating overlapping 5′ and 3′ RACE products for generation of a full-length sequence coding for human KDR, or to isolate a portion of the nucleotide sequence coding for human KDR for use as a probe to screen one or more cDNA- or genomic-based libraries to isolate a full-length sequence encoding human KDR or human KDR-like proteins.

In an exemplified method, the human KDR full-length cDNA of the present invention was generated by screening a human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) lambda phage cDNA library with a KDR-specific 576 base pair DNA probe prepared by using primers KDR-A: 5′-GGAATTCCATCCAAGCGGCAAATGTGTC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:3) and KDR-B: 5′-GGAATTCCGAGTCTTCTACAAGGGTCTC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:4). Lambda phage clones containing unique inserts were isolated through three rounds of replating and then characterized. The 3′ 110 base pairs not represented in any of the isolated clones were cloned by PCR from the same library as above using the primers KDR-C: 5′-TTATGACAACACAGCAGG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:5) and KDR-D: 5′-TTGGATCCTCGAGTTGGGGTGTGGATGC′3′ (SEQ ID NO:6). Overlapping clones were used to generate a full-length KDR gene into plasmid vector pGEM7Z. The gene contained an XhoI site at the 5′ end which was changed to a BamHII site by first cutting with XhoI, then forming a blunt end with DNA polymerase and ligating an oligonucleotide BamHI linker and finally cloned as a BamHI/BamHI fragment back into pGEM7Z. The gene was sequenced on an ABI Prism automatic sequencer model number 377. In addition, the cytoplasmic domain of KDR which contains tyrosine kinase activity was cloned separately as a GST gene fusion into a baculovirus expression vector to characterize tyrosine kinase activity.

A variety of mammalian expression vectors may be used to express recombinant human KDR in mammalian cells. Expression vectors are defined herein as DNA sequences that are required for the transcription of cloned DNA and the translation of their mRNAs in an appropriate host. Such vectors can be used to express eukaryotic DNA in a variety of hosts such as bacteria, blue green algae, plant cells, insect cells and animal cells. Specifically designed vectors allow the shuttling of DNA between hosts such as bacteria-yeast or bacteria-animal cells. An appropriately constructed expression vector should contain: an origin of replication for autonomous replication in host cells, selectable markers, a limited number of useful restriction enzyme sites, a potential for high copy number, and active promoters. A promoter is defined as a DNA sequence that directs RNA polymerase to bind to DNA and initiate RNA synthesis. A strong promoter is one which causes mRNAs to be initiated at high frequency. Expression vectors may include, but are not limited to, cloning vectors, modified cloning vectors, specifically designed plasmids or viruses.

Commercially available mammalian expression vectors which may be suitable for recombinant human KDR expression, include but are not limited to, pcDNA3.1 (Invitrogen), pLITMUS28, pLITMUS29, pLITMUS38 and pLITMUS39 (New England Bioloabs), pcDNAI, pcDNAIamp (Invitrogen), pcDNA3 (Invitrogen), pMC1neo (Stratagene), pXT1 (Stratagene), pSG5 (Stratagene), EBO-pSV2-neo (ATCC 37593) pBPV-1(8-2) (ATCC 37110), pdBPV-MMTneo(342-12) (ATCC 37224), pRSVgpt (ATCC 37199), pRSVneo (ATCC 37198), pSV2-dhfr (ATCC 37146), pUCTag (ATCC 37460), and λZD35 (ATCC 37565).

A variety of bacterial expression vectors may be used to express recombinant human KDR in bacterial cells. Commercially available bacterial expression vectors which may be suitable for recombinant human KDR expression include, but are not limited to pCR2.1 (Invitrogen), pET11a (Novagen), lambda gt11 (Invitrogen), and pKK223-3 (Pharmacia).

A variety of fungal cell expression vectors may be used to express recombinant human KDR in fungal cells. Commercially available fungal cell expression vectors which may be suitable for recombinant human KDR expression include but are not limited to pYES2 (Invitrogen) and Pichia expression vector (Invitrogen).

A variety of insect cell expression vectors may be used to express recombinant receptor in insect cells. Commercially available insect cell expression vectors which may be suitable for recombinant expression of human KDR include but are not limited to pBlueBacIII and pBlueBacHis2 (Invitrogen), and pAcG2T (Pharmingen).

An expression vector containing DNA encoding a human KDR-like protein may be used for expression of human KDR in a recombinant host cell. Recombinant host cells may be prokaryotic or eukaryotic, including but not limited to bacteria such as E. coli, fungal cells such as yeast, mammalian cells including but not limited to cell lines of human, bovine, porcine, monkey and rodent origin, and insect cells including but not limited to Drosophila- and silkworm-derived cell lines. Cell lines derived from mammalian species which may be suitable and which are commercially available, include but are not limited to, L cells L-M(TK⁻) (ATCC CCL 1.3), L cells L-M (ATCC CCL 1.2), Saos-2 (ATCC HTB-85), 293 (ATCC CRL 1573), Raji (ATCC CCL 86), CV-1 (ATCC CCL 70), COS-1 (ATCC CRL 1650), COS-7 (ATCC CRL 1651), CHO-K1 (ATCC CCL 61), 3T3 (ATCC CCL 92), NIH3T3 (ATCC CRL 1658), HeLa (ATCC CCL 2), C127I (ATCC CRL 1616), BS-C-1 (ATCC CCL 26), MRC-5 (ATCC CCL 171) and CPAE (ATCC CCL 209).

The expression vector may be introduced into host cells via any one of a number of techniques including but not limited to transformation, transfection, protoplast fusion, and electroporation. The expression vector-containing cells are individually analyzed to determine whether they produce human KDR protein. Identification of human KDR expressing cells may be done by several means, including but not limited to immunological reactivity with anti-human KDR antibodies, labeled ligand binding and the presence of host cell-associated human KDR activity.

The cloned human KDR cDNA obtained through the methods described above may be recombinantly expressed by molecular cloning into an expression vector (such as pcDNA3.1, pCR2.1, pBlueBacHis2 and pLITMUS28) containing a suitable promoter and other appropriate transcription regulatory elements, and transferred into prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cells to produce recombinant human KDR. Techniques for such manipulations can be found described in Sambrook, et al., supra, are discussed at length in the Example section and are well known and easily available to the artisan of ordinary skill in the art.

Expression of human KDR DNA may also be performed using in vitro produced synthetic mRNA. Synthetic mRNA can be efficiently translated in various cell-free systems, including but not limited to wheat germ extracts and reticulocyte extracts, as well as efficiently translated in cell based systems, including but not limited to microinjection into frog oocytes, with microinjection into frog oocytes being preferred.

To determine the human KDR cDNA sequence(s) that yields optimal levels of human KDR, cDNA molecules including but not limited to the following can be constructed: a cDNA fragment containing the full-length open reading frame for human KDR as well as various constructs containing portions of the cDNA encoding only specific domains of the protein or rearranged domains of the protein. All constructs can be designed to contain none, all or portions of the 5′ and/or 3′ untranslated region of a human KDR cDNA. The expression levels and activity of human KDR can be determined following the introduction, both singly and in combination, of these constructs into appropriate host cells. Following determination of the human KDR cDNA cassette yielding optimal expression in transient assays, this KDR cDNA construct is transferred to a variety of expression vectors (including recombinant viruses), including but not limited to those for mammalian cells, plant cells, insect cells, oocytes, bacteria, and yeast cells.

Levels of human KDR in host cells is quantified by a variety of techniques including, but not limited to, immunoaffinity and/or ligand affinity techniques. KDR-specific affinity beads or KDR-specific antibodies are used to isolate ³⁵S-methionine labeled or unlabelled KDR. Labeled KDR protein is analyzed by SDS-PAGE. Unlabelled KDR protein is detected by Western blotting, ELISA or RIA assays employing either KDR protein specific antibodies and/or antiphosphotyrosine antibodies.

Following expression of KDR in a host cell, KDR protein may be recovered to provide KDR protein in active form. Several KDR protein purification procedures are available and suitable for use. Recombinant KDR protein may be purified from cell lysates and extracts, or from conditioned culture medium, by various combinations of, or individual application of salt fractionation, ion exchange chromatography, size exclusion chromatography, hydroxylapatite adsorption chromatography and hydrophobic interaction chromatography.

In addition, recombinant KDR protein can be separated from other cellular proteins by use of an immunoaffinity column made with monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies specific for full-length KDR protein, or polypeptide fragments of KDR protein. Additionally, polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies may be raised against a synthetic peptide (usually from about 9 to about 25 amino acids in length) from a portion of the protein as disclosed in SEQ ID NO:2. Monospecific antibodies to human KDR are purified from mammalian antisera containing antibodies reactive against human KDR or are prepared as monoclonal antibodies reactive with human KDR using the technique of Kohler and Milstein (1975, Nature 256: 495-497). Monospecific antibody as used herein is defined as a single antibody species or multiple antibody species with homogenous binding characteristics for human KDR. Homogenous binding as used herein refers to the ability of the antibody species to bind to a specific antigen or epitope, such as those associated with human KDR, as described above. Human KDR-specific antibodies are raised by immunizing animals such as mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, goats, horses and the like, with an appropriate concentration of human KDR protein or a synthetic peptide generated from a portion of human KDR with or without an immune adjuvant.

Preimmune serum is collected prior to the first immunization. Each animal receives between about 0.1 μg and about 1000 μg of human KDR protein associated with an acceptable immune adjuvant. Such acceptable adjuvants include, but are not limited to, Freund's complete, Freund's incomplete, alum-precipitate, water in oil emulsion containing Corynebacterium parvum and tRNA. The initial immunization consists of human KDR protein or peptide fragment thereof in, preferably, Freund's complete adjuvant at multiple sites either subcutaneously (SC), intraperitoneally (IP) or both. Each animal is bled at regular intervals, preferably weekly, to determine antibody titer. The animals may or may not receive booster injections following the initial immunization. Those animals receiving booster injections are generally given an equal amount of human KDR in Freund's incomplete adjuvant by the same route. Booster injections are given at about three week intervals until maximal titers are obtained. At about 7 days after each booster immunization or about weekly after a single immunization, the animals are bled, the serum collected, and aliquots are stored at about −20° C.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) reactive with human KDR are prepared by immunizing inbred mice, preferably Balb/c, with human KDR protein. The mice are immunized by the IP or SC route with about 1 μg to about 100 μg, preferably about 10 μg, of human KDR protein in about 0.5 ml buffer or saline incorporated in an equal volume of an acceptable adjuvant, as discussed above. Freund's complete adjuvant is preferred. The mice receive an initial immunization on day 0 and are rested for about 3 to about 30 weeks. Immunized mice are given one or more booster immunizations of about 1 to about 100 μg of human KDR in a buffer solution such as phosphate buffered saline by the intravenous (IV) route. Lymphocytes, from antibody positive mice, preferably splenic lymphocytes, are obtained by removing spleens from immunized mice by standard procedures known in the art. Hybridoma cells are produced by mixing the splenic lymphocytes with an appropriate fusion partner, preferably myeloma cells, under conditions which will allow the formation of stable hybridomas. Fusion partners may include, but are not limited to: mouse myelomas P3/NS1/Ag 4-1; MPC-11; S-194 and Sp 2/0, with Sp 2/0 being preferred. The antibody producing cells and myeloma cells are fused in polyethylene glycol, about 1000 mol. wt., at concentrations from about 30% to about 50%. Fused hybridoma cells are selected by growth in hypoxanthine, thymidine and aminopterin supplemented Dulbecco's Modified Eagles Medium (DMEM) by procedures known in the art. Supernatant fluids are collected form growth positive wells on about days 14, 18, and 21 and are screened for antibody production by an immunoassay such as solid phase immunoradioassay (SPIRA) using human KDR as the antigen. The culture fluids are also tested in the Ouchterlony precipitation assay to determine the isotype of the mAb. Hybridoma cells from antibody positive wells are cloned by a technique such as the soft agar technique of MacPherson, 1973, Soft Agar Techniques, in Tissue Culture Methods and Applications, Kruse and Paterson, Eds., Academic Press.

Monoclonal antibodies are produced in vivo by injection of pristine primed Balb/c mice, approximately 0.5 ml per mouse, with about 2×10⁶ to about 6×10⁶ hybridoma cells about 4 days after priming. Ascites fluid is collected at approximately 8-12 days after cell transfer and the monoclonal antibodies are purified by techniques known in the art.

In vitro production of anti-human KDR mAb is carried out by growing the hydridoma in DMEM containing about 2% fetal calf serum to obtain sufficient quantities of the specific mAb. The mAb are purified by techniques known in the art.

Antibody titers of ascites or hybridoma culture fluids are determined by various serological or immunological assays which include, but are not limited to, precipitation, passive agglutination, enzyme-linked immunosorbent antibody (ELISA) technique and radioimmunoassay (RIA) techniques. Similar assays are used to detect the presence of human KDR in body fluids or tissue and cell extracts.

It is readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the above described methods for producing monospecific antibodies may be utilized to produce antibodies specific for human KDR peptide fragments, or full-length human KDR.

Human KDR antibody affinity columns are made, for example, by adding the antibodies to Affigel-10 (Biorad), a gel support which is pre-activated with N-hydroxysuccinimide esters such that the antibodies form covalent linkages with the agarose gel bead support. The antibodies are then coupled to the gel via amide bonds with the spacer arm. The remaining activated esters are then quenched with 1M ethanolamine HCl (pH 8). The column is washed with water followed by 0.23 M glycine HCl (pH 2.6) to remove any non-conjugated antibody or extraneous protein. The column is then equilibrated in phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.3) and the cell culture supernatants or cell extracts containing full-length human KDR or human KDR protein fragments are slowly passed through the column. The column is then washed with phosphate buffered saline until the optical density (A₂₈₀) falls to background, then the protein is eluted with 0.23 M glycine-HCl (pH 2.6). The purified human KDR protein is then dialyzed against phosphate buffered saline.

The human KDR protein of the present invention is suitable for use in an assay procedure for the identification of compounds which modulate KDR activity. A KDR-containing fusion construct, such as a GST-KDR fusion as discussed within this specification, is useful to measure KDR activity. Kinase activity is, for example, measured by incorporation of radiolabeled phosphate into polyglutamic acid, tyrosine, 4:1 (pEY) substrate. The phosphorylated pEY product is trapped onto a filter membrane and the incorporation of radiolabeled phosphate quantified by scintillation counting. Soluble recombinant GST-kinase domain fusion proteins are expressed in Sf21 insect cells (Invitrogen) using a baculovirus expression vector (pAcG2T, Pharmingen). A lysis buffer is 50 mM Tris, pH 7.4, 0.5 M NaCl, 5 mM DTT, 1 mM EDTA, 0.5% Triton X-100, 10% glycerol, 10 μg/ml of each leupeptin, pepstatin and aprotinin and 1 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (all Sigma). A wash buffer is 50 mM Tris, pH 7.4, 0.5 M NaCl, 5 mM DTT, 1 mM EDTA, 0.05% Triton X-100, 10% glycerol, 10 μg/ml of each leupeptin, pepstatin and aprotinin and 1 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. A dialysis buffer is 50 mM Tris, pH 7.4, 0.5 M NaCl, 5 mM DTT, 1 mM EDTA, 0.05% Triton X-100, 50% glycerol, 10 μg/ml of each leupeptin, pepstatin and aprotinin and 1 mM phenylmethylsuflonyl fluoride. A 10× reaction buffer is 200 mM Tris, pH 7.4, 1.0 M NaCl, 50 mM MnCl₂, 10 mM DTT and 5 mg/ml bovine serum albumin (Sigma). An enzyme dilution buffer is 50 mM Tris, pH 7.4, 0.1 M NaCl, 1 mM DTT, 10% glycerol, 100 mg/ml BSA. A 10× substrate solution would be 750 μg/ml poly(glutamic acid, tyrosine; 4:1) (Sigma); stop solution is 30% trichloroacetic acid, 0.2 M sodium pyrophosphate (both Fisher) and wash solution is 15% trichloroacetic acid, 0.2 M sodium pyrophosphate. The filter plates are Millipore #MAFC NOB, GF/C glass fiber 96 well plates.

First, Sf21 cells are infected with recombinant virus at a multiplicity of infection of 5 virus particles/cell and grown at 27° C. for 48 hours. All subsequent steps are performed at 4° C. Infected cells are harvested by centrifugation at 1000×g and lysed at 4° C. for 30 minutes with {fraction (1/10)} volume of lysis buffer followed by centrifugation at 100,00×g for 1 hour. The supernatant is then passed over a glutathione-Sepharose column (Pharmacia) equilibrated in lysis buffer and washed with 5 volumes of the same buffer followed by 5 volumes of wash buffer. Recombinant GST-KDR protein is eluted with wash buffer/10 mM reduced glutathione (Sigma) and dialyzed against dialysis buffer.

The KDR assay comprises the following steps:

-   -   1. Add 5 μl of inhibitor or control to the assay in 50% DMSO;     -   2. Add 35 μl of reaction mix containing 5 μl of 10× reaction         buffer, 5 μl 25 mM ATP/10 μCi [³³P]ATP (Amersham), and 5 μl 10×         substrate;     -   3. Start the reaction by the addition of 10 μl of KDR (25 nM) in         enzyme dilution buffer;     -   4. Mix and incubate at room temperature (˜22° C.) for 15         minutes;     -   5. Stop by the addition of 50 μl stop solution;     -   6. Incubate for 15 minutes at 4° C.;     -   7. Transfer a 90 μl aliquot to filter plate;     -   8. Aspirate and wash 3 times with 100 μl of wash solution;     -   9. Add 30 μl of scintillation cocktail, seal plate and count in         a Wallac Microbeta scintillation counter.

Modulating KDR includes the inhibition or activation of the kinase which affects the mitogenic function of VEGF. Compounds which modulate KDR include agonists and antagonists.

Therefore, the human KDR protein of the present invention may be obtained from both native and recombinant sources (as a full-length protein, biologically active protein fragment, or fusion construction) for use in an assay procedure to identify human KDR modulators. In general, an assay procedure to identify human KDR modulators will contain the intracelluar domain of human KDR, and a test compound or sample which contains a putative KDR kinase agonist or antagonist. The test compounds or samples may be tested directly on, for example, purified KDR, KDR kinase or a GST-KDR kinase fusion, subcellular fractions of KDR-producing cells whether native or recombinant, whole cells expressing human KDR whether native or recombinant, intracellular KDR protein fragments and respective deletion fragments, and/or extracellular intracellular KDR protein fragments and respective deletion fragments. The test compound or sample may be added to KDR in the presence or absence of a known human KDR substrate. The modulating activity of the test compound or sample may be determined by, for example, analyzing the ability of the test compound or sample to bind to the KDR intracellular domain, activate the protein, inhibit the protein, inhibit or enhance the binding of other compounds to human KDR, modifying VEGF receptor regulation, or modifying kinase activity.

Therefore, the present invention also relates to subcellular membrane fractions of the recombinant host cells (both prokaryotic and eukaryotic as well as both stably and transiently transformed cells) comprising the nucleic acids of the present invention. These subcellular membrane fractions will comprise human KDR at levels substantially above wild-type levels and hence will be useful in various assays described throughout this specification.

The identification of modulators of human KDR will be useful in treating various disease states. For example, vascular growth in or near the retina leads to visual degeneration culminating in blindness. VEGF accounts for most of the angiogenic activity produced in or near the retina in diabetic retinopathy. Ocular VEGF mRNA and protein are elevated by conditions such as retinal vein occlusion in primates and decreased pO₂ levels in mice that lead to neovascularization. Expression of VEGF is also significantly increased in hypoxic regions of animal and human tumors adjacent to areas of necrosis. VEGF contributes to tumor growth in vivo by promoting angiogenesis through its paracrine vascular endothelial cell chemotactic and mitogenic activities. Inhibition of KDR is implicated in pathological neoangiogenesis, and compounds which inhibit the mitogenic activity of VEGF via inhibition of KDR will be useful in the treatment of diseases in which neoangiogenesis is part of the overall pathology, such as diabetic retinal vascularization, various forms of cancer and inflammation which demonstrate high levels of gene and protein expression. Examples of such cancers include cancers of the brain, breast, genitourinary tract, lymphatic system, stomach, intestines including colon, pancreas, prostate, larynx and lung. These include histiocytic lymphoma, lung adenocarcinoma, glioblastoma and small cell lung cancers. Examples of inflammation include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, contact dermatis and hypersensitivity reactions.

The present invention also relates to gene transfer of a DNA vector and concomitant in vivo expression of an extracelluar, soluble form of human KDR, preferably comprising from about amino acid 1 to from about amino acid 644 (to encompass the initial six IG-like extracellular domains) to about amino acid 763 (to encompass all seven IG-like extracellular domains) of human KDR as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2. Such a gene therapy vehicle will express this soluble form of human KDR, which binds VEGF or a VEGF homologue in and around the localized site of the disorder. The formation of a sKDR/VEGF complex will inhibit binding of VEGF to the KDR and FLT-1 tyrosine kinase receptors spanning the vascular endothelial cell membrane, thus preventing initiation of the signal transduction stimulating angiogenesis. In addition, expression of sKDR may also impart a therapeutic effect by binding to membrane associated VEGF receptors. VEGF receptors are thought to be dimerized by binding dimeric VEGF ligand which in turn allows the receptor intracellular tyrosine kinase domains to transphosphorylate each other generating phosphorylated tyrosine residues that facilitate the subsequent binding and activation of downstream signal transduction proteins. Soluble KDR will be able to form heterodimers with full-length VEGF receptors that, because the sKDR forms are devoid of an intracellular tyrosine kinase region, prevent receptor tyrosine kinase domain transphosphorylation, the initiation of signal transduction and thus VEGF-induced mitogenesis and angiogenesis in a dominant negative manner. The skilled artisan will be able to generate various gene therapy constructs which express various regions of the extracellular domain of KDR for administration to the patient. While the patient may be any mammalian host, the preferable treatment is directed toward humans. Any such construct will express a KDR fragment which effectively inhibits mitogenic activity associated with VEGF/KDR associations on human endothelial cells. It is preferred in the present invention that this region comprise an isolated nucleic acid molecule which encodes from about amino acid 1 to about amino acid 644 and/or from about amino acid 1 to about amino acid 763 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is a nucleic acid molecule which encodes an extracellular-transmembrane KDR protein fragment which is also useful in gene therapy applications as described in the previous paragraph. It is preferred that any such DNA molecule comprise a DNA sequence from which encodes from about amino acid 1 to about amino acid about the initial 785-795 amino acids of KDR as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, and especially preferred is an isolated nucleic acid molecule construction which encodes the amino terminal portion of KDR with a truncation at about amino acid 791 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.

One preferred gene therapy application for the human KDR gene and protein of the present invention relates to promoting inhibition of solid tumor angiogenesis and metastasis by utilizing the disclosed gene therapy methodology. A second preferred gene therapy application for the human KDR gene and protein of the present invention relates to promoting inhibition of diabetic retinopothy, as described elsewhere within this specification. The transferred sKDR nucleic acid is expressed within the region of interest subsequent to gene transfer such that expressed sKDR binds to VEGF to prevent binding of VEGF to the KDR and FLT-1 tyrosine kinase receptors, antagonizing transduction of the normal intracellular signals associated with vascular endothelial cell-induced tumor angiogenesis and diabetic retinopathy.

The present invention is also directed to methods for screening for compounds which modulate the expression of DNA or RNA encoding a human KDR protein. Compounds which modulate these activities may be DNA, RNA, peptides, proteins, or non-proteinaceous organic molecules. Compounds may modulate by increasing or attenuating the expression of DNA or RNA encoding human KDR, or the function of human KDR. Compounds that modulate the expression of DNA or RNA encoding human KDR or the biological function thereof may be detected by a variety of assays. The assay may be a simple “yes/no” assay to determine whether there is a change in expression or function. The assay may be made quantitative by comparing the expression or function of a test sample with the levels of expression or function in a standard sample. Kits containing human KDR, antibodies to human KDR, or modified human KDR may be prepared by known methods for such uses.

The DNA molecules, RNA molecules, recombinant protein and antibodies of the present invention may be used to screen and measure levels of human KDR. The recombinant proteins, DNA molecules, RNA molecules and antibodies lend themselves to the formulation of kits suitable for the detection and typing of human KDR. Such a kit would comprise a compartmentalized carrier suitable to hold in close confinement at least one container. The carrier would further comprise reagents such as recombinant KDR or anti-KDR antibodies suitable for detecting human KDR. The carrier may also contain a means for detection such as labeled antigen or enzyme substrates or the like.

Pharmaceutically useful compositions comprising modulators of human KDR may be formulated according to known methods such as by the admixture of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Examples of such carriers and methods of formulation may be found in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences. To form a pharmaceutically acceptable composition suitable for effective administration, such compositions will contain an effective amount of the protein, DNA, RNA, modified human KDR, or either KDR agonsits or antagonists including tyrosine kinase activators or inhibitors.

Therapeutic or diagnostic compositions of the invention are administered to an individual in amounts sufficient to treat or diagnose disorders. The effective amount may vary according to a variety of factors such as the individual's condition, weight, sex and age. Other factors include the mode of administration.

The pharmaceutical compositions may be provided to the individual by a variety of routes such as subcutaneous, topical, oral and intramuscular.

The term “chemical derivative” describes a molecule that contains additional chemical moieties which are not normally a part of the base molecule. Such moieties may improve the solubility, half-life, absorption, etc. of the base molecule. Alternatively the moieties may attenuate undesirable side effects of the base molecule or decrease the toxicity of the base molecule. Examples of such moieties are described in a variety of texts, such as Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Compounds identified according to the methods disclosed herein may be used alone at appropriate dosages. Alternatively, co-administration or sequential administration of other agents may be desirable.

The present invention also has the objective of providing suitable topical, oral, systemic and parenteral pharmaceutical formulations for use in the novel methods of treatment of the present invention. The compositions containing compounds identified according to this invention as the active ingredient can be administered in a wide variety of therapeutic dosage forms in conventional vehicles for administration. For example, the compounds can be administered in such oral dosage forms as tablets, capsules (each including timed release and sustained release formulations), pills, powders, granules, elixirs, tinctures, solutions, suspensions, syrups and emulsions, or by injection. Likewise, they may also be administered in intravenous (both bolus and infusion), intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, topical with or without occlusion, or intramuscular form, all using forms well known to those of ordinary skill in the pharmaceutical arts.

Advantageously, compounds of the present invention may be administered in a single daily dose, or the total daily dosage may be administered in divided doses of two, three or four times daily. Furthermore, compounds for the present invention can be administered in intranasal form via topical use of suitable intranasal vehicles, or via transdermal routes, using those forms of transdermal skin patches well known to those of ordinary skill in that art. To be administered in the form of a transdermal delivery system, the dosage administration will, of course, be continuous rather than intermittent throughout the dosage regimen.

For combination treatment with more than one active agent, where the active agents are in separate dosage formulations, the active agents can be administered concurrently, or they each can be administered at separately staggered times.

The dosage regimen utilizing the compounds of the present invention is selected in accordance with a variety of factors including type, species, age, weight, sex and medical condition of the patient; the severity of the condition to be treated; the route of administration; the renal, hepatic and cardiovascular function of the patient; and the particular compound thereof employed. A physician or veterinarian of ordinary skill can readily determine and prescribe the effective amount of the drug required to prevent, counter or arrest the progress of the condition. Optimal precision in achieving concentrations of drug within the range that yields efficacy without toxicity requires a regimen based on the kinetics of the drug's availability to target sites. This involves a consideration of the distribution, equilibrium, and elimination of a drug.

The following examples are provided to illustrate the present invention without, however, limiting the same hereto.

EXAMPLE 1 Isolation of a cDNA Encoding Human KDR

Materials—A human umbilical vein endothelial cell lambda phage cDNA library was purchased from Clonetech (Cat. # HL1070b). DNA modification and restriction enzymes were purchased from Promega. Plasmid pGEM7Z was purchased from Promega (Cat. # P2251). Taq polymerase was from Perkin Elmer Cetus (part number N801-0055). BamHI linkers were purchased from New England Biolabs (Cat. # 1071). [α-³²P] dATP was purchased from Amersham (Cat. # PB 10204). Rediprime was also purchased from Amersham (Cat. # RPN 1633). The baculovirus expression vector pAcG2T was purchased from Pharmingen (Cat. # 21414P).

The PCR primers used are as follows:

-   -   KDR-A 5′-GGAATTCCATCCAAGCGGCAAATGTGTC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:3);     -   KDR-B 5′-GGAATTCCGAGTCTTCTACAAGGGTCTC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:4)     -   KDR-C 5′-TTATGACAACACAGCAGG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:5); and,     -   KDR-D 5′-TTGGATCCTCGAGTTGGGGTGTGGATGC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:6).

Methods: Gene Cloning—The KDR cDNA was isolated by probing a human umbilical vein endothelial cell lambda phage cDNA library from Clonetech with a KDR-specific 576 base pair DNA probe. The probe was prepared by PCR using primers KDR-A/KDR-B and Taq polymerase, then labeled to a specific activity of 1×10⁷ cpm/ng by random priming. Phage were plated at about 50,000 plaques/plate and hybridization was done by standard protocols. A total of 1×10⁶ phage were screened. Lambda phage clones containing unique inserts were isolated through three rounds of replating and then characterized. The 3′ 110 base pairs not represented in any of the isolated clones were cloned by PCR from the same library as above using the primers KDR-C and KDR-D. Overlapping clones were used to generate a full-length KDR gene by restriction enzyme digestion, isolation of the individual gene fragments and ligation (restriction enzymes and ligase were from Promega) into pGEM7Z. The gene contained an XhoI site at the 5′ end which was changed to a BamHI site by first cutting with XhoI, then forming a blunt end with DNA polymerase and ligating an oligonucleotide BamHI linker and finally cloned as a BamHI/BamHI fragment back into pGEM7Z. The gene was sequenced on an ABI Prism automatic sequencer model number 377. The cDNA sequence of human KDR is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The deduced amino acid sequence of human KDR is shown in FIG. 2.

EXAMPLE 2 Construction of GST/KDR-1

The cytoplasmic domain of KDR which contains tyrosine kinase activity was cloned separately as a glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene fusion into a baculovirus expression vector to characterize tyrosine kinase activity. To construct this GST fusion, a Kpn I cloning site was introduced into the KDR gene by changing the codons encoding residues Gly 800 (GGG to GGC) and Leu 802 (TTG to CTG) and the existing BamHI site was removed by changing the codon encoding Asp 807 (GAT to GAC); these changes are silent and do not change the amino acid sequence of the receptor. A new BamHI site was introduced to form an in frame fusion with the carboxyl terminus of GST and KDR at Ala 792. The GST and KDR BamHI-digested fragments were ligated to generated the in frame GST/KDR fusion. Active GST-KDR tyrosine kinase protein is produced in insect cells.

EXAMPLE 3 Construction Of KDR Core Kinase Domain

The kinase domain of KDR was cloned using the preexisting BamHI site at the 5′ end of the kinase domain and introducing a stop codon followed by a SalI site at the 3′ end of the kinase domain (Tyr 1175 TAC changed to TAA). KDR DNA was used as a template in a PCR reaction with primers KDR-E (5′-GGATCCAGATGAACTCCCATTG-3′ [SEQ ID NO:7]) and KDR-F (5′-GTCGACTTAGTCTTTGCCATCCTGCTGAGC-3′ [SEQ ID NO:8]). The resulting KDR core kinase BamHI/Sal I fragment was cloned into pBlueBacHis2B, this creates an inframe fusion of the methionine initiator codon and the poly histidine sequence of the vector with the KDR kinase domain. This vector, pBBH-KDR-1, also provides an enterokinase recognition site to remove the His tag polypeptide by proteolysis. The KDR core kinase protein was expressed in insect cells and purified on a nickel chelating column. The purified KDR core kinase was active in the kinase assay described herein.

EXAMPLE 4 Molecular Modeling of Human KDR

The cytoplasmic domain of the VEGF receptor was aligned by hand to the sequence of FGFR1 as taken from the published crystal structure (Mohammadi, M., Schiessinger, J. and Hubbard, S. R., 1996, Cell 86: 577). The sequences are ˜60% identical in this alignment. An homology model of KDR kinase was then built in Quanta (version 4.1p) by copying the coordinates from the FGFR1/AMP-PCP crystal structure. The kinase insert region (residues 933-1006 in KDR) was not included in the model since there was no unique conformation for this region in the crystal structure. The homology model was then minimized using CHARMM within Quanta constraining the protein backbone and allowing the side chains to move freely.

The change of amino acid residue 848 from the published Glu to Val in SEQ ID NO:2 is found in the glycine-rich flap, which forms part of the ATP binding pocket. The highly conserved Val is found to form hydrophobic contacts to ATP in other kinases, and appears to be positioned to form these same contacts in KDR. A charged Glu in this position is not likely to make proper contact with ATP. This is shown by computer modeling in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B. FIG. 3A shows the ATP binding domain from the KDR V848E mutant homology model with bound AMP-PCP. The side chain of E848 is in contact the adenine from AMP-PCP. The gamma phosphate of AMP-PCP is not visible. The protein carbon alpha trace is shown in pipes, the AMP-PCP in sticks and the E848 side chain in space filling. The N-terminal lobe is colored blue (or alternatively labeled with light circles) with the exception of the glycine rich flap which is colored green (or alternatively labeled as a lined region). The C-terminal lobe is colored red (or alternatively labeled with dark circles). FIG. 3B shows ATP binding domain from the KDR homology model with bound AMP-PCP. The side chain of V848 forms hydrophobic contacts with the adenine from AMP-PCP. The gamma phosphate of AMP-PCP is not visible. The protein carbon alpha trace is shown in pipes, the AMP-PCP in sticks and the V848 side chain in space filling. The N-terminal lobe is colored blue (or alternatively labeled with light circles) with the exception of the glycine rich flap which is colored green (or alternatively labeled as a lined region). The C-terminal lobe is colored red (or alternatively labeled with dark circles).

EXAMPLE 5 Tyrosine Phosphorylation of KDRcyt Mutants

Purified KDR_(cyt)E848 and KDR_(cyt)V848 were incubated with at concentrations of 12 ng or 120 ng, respectively, or without 1 mM ATP at 37° C. for 10 min. The reaction was stopped by the addition of an equal volume of 2× SDS-PAGE sample buffer and boiled for 5 min. Reaction products were separated by 7.5%/SDS-PAGE and analyzed by Western blot probed with the antiphosphotyrosine antibody PY20 (Transduction Laboratories; FIG. 4A), or an anti-KDR antibody (Santa Cruz Biotechnology; FIG. 4B) visualized using the ECL detection kit and quantified by scanning with a densitometer (Molecular Dynamics). FIG. 4A shows that purified GST-KDR_(cyt)E848 was unable to autophosphorylate in the presence of 1-mM ATP wherein 12 ng of GST-KDR_(cyt)V848 in the presence of 1 mM ATP resulted in autophosphorylation. FIG. 4B shows a signal against anti-KDR antibody for 120 ng GST-KDR_(cyt)E848 and 12 ng of GST-KDR_(cyt)V848. 

1. A method for selecting a compound which antagonizes human KDR, comprising, combining a KDR kinase comprising from about amino acid 790 to about amino acid 1356 as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein position 848 is a valine residue, and a substrate, with or without a test compound; and measuring the tyrosine kinase activity of said KDR kinase in the presence and in the absence of said test compound; wherein said compound is a KDR antagonist if said activity in the presence of said compound is lower than said activity in the absence of said compound.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said KDR kinase is GST/KDR comprising from about amino acid 790 to about amino acid 1356 as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein position 848 is a valine residue.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said substrate is pEY.
 4. A method for selecting an agonist of human KDR, comprising, combining a KDR kinase comprising from about amino acid 790 to about amino acid 1356 as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein position 848 is a valine residue, and a substrate, with or without a test compound; and measuring the tyrosine kinase activity of said KDR kinase in the presence and in the absence of said test compound; wherein said compound is a KDR agonist if said activity in the presence of said compound is higher than said activity in the absence of said compound.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein said KDR protein is GST/KDR comprising from about amino acid 790 to about amino acid 1356 as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein position 848 is a valine residue.
 6. The method of claim 4 wherein said substrate is pEY. 